Improvement of power generation State to rope in private investors

IMPHAL, Apr 7: The proposed inauguration of a 132/33 KV sub-station at Rengpang in Tamenglong district by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh on April 9 has been postponed after it was found that the construction of the power sub-station is yet to be completed.
On the other hand, the State Government has decided to invite private investors for power generation in the State.
According to a highly placed source, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh was sche- duled to visit Churachand-pur and Tamenglong district on April 9 by helicopter in connection with inauguration of an office of the District Council at Churachandpur and a 132/33 KV sub-station at Rengpang in Tamenglong.
However, the construction work on the power station is found yet to be completed when an official team went for inspection ahead of the Chief Minister's visit. Accordingly, inauguration of the power station has been dropped from the programme of the Chief Minister.
It is said that construction of the power station began in 2002-03. It is being constructed by the Power Department.
On the other hand, to increase generation of power in Manipur, the State Government has decided to invite private investors and a policy is being framed to involve private investors in generation, transmission and distribution of power, according to another source.
Some of the projects that the State Government has identified where private investors may be involved include Pabram Hydroelectric Project (190 MW), Irang Hydro-Electric Project (60 MW), Tuivai Hydro-Electric Project (51 MW), Nungleiband Hydro-Electric Project (70 MW) and Khongnem Chakha Hydro-Electric Project (68 MW), the source disclosed, adding that survey and investigation for taking up the projects at Pabram, Irang and Tuivai is currently underway.
Informing that hydro power potential of Manipur is upto 2000 MW, the sou-rce further disclosed that the Loktak Downstream Project and Tipaimukh Hydro-Electric Project is to be taken up as joint venture.
Meanwhile, official work in the Civil Secretariat here remained affected due to power failure from 3.30 pm to 4.45 pm today.(TSE)